The South Kerala has been reporting over half of the country's total COVID-19 cases for the past few days, kicking up a heated exchange between the Centre and state's ruling CPI(M). Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan on Wednesday lashed Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the deteriorating COVID-19 situation in the state and alleged that the state government had failed to protect the lives of people. Muraleedharan alleged Vijayan's illogical strategy and motivated media propaganda is costing the nation dearly.

Taking to a Twitter post, Muraleedharan wrote, "Alarming COVID19 situation in Kerala, @vijayanpinarayi has clearly failed to protect people's lives. Kerala alone recorded 24,296 cases and 173 deaths yesterday @vijayanpinarayi's illogical strategy and motivated media propaganda costing dearly to the nation. VijayanfailsKerala".

Earlier on August 16, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the southern state and discussed the public health response to COVID-19 in the state with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Health Minister Veena George.

Meanwhile, Kerala logged 24,296 COVID-19 positive cases, the highest single-day spike by any state/Union Territory in the country on Tuesday. The state also registered 173 Covid fatalities. The state 37,593 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours with Kerala contributing to a majority of 24,296 fresh infections. As per the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday, 648 new fatalities in the country pushed the cumulative toll to 4,35,758.

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